Zephyr Restaurant

About Zephyr Restaurant

Zephyr Restaurant is a stylish, modern restaurant in downtown Kaikoura, serving contemporary casual cuisine built around land and sea produce. The restaurant offers table service and a fine wine list, with reservations appreciated but walk-ins always welcome.

The menu spans hearty entrees, seafood and land-based mains, and a range of desserts, with vegetarian and gluten free options clearly marked throughout. Standout dishes draw on premium local ingredients, from Canterbury Prime Angus ribeye to whole baked crayfish and a slow-roasted NZ lamb shoulder for two.

Zephyr accepts Restaurant Association Gift Cards, available for purchase at Paperplus Kaikoura and New World, and notes that some menu items may differ seasonally, particularly over winter.

Zephyr Restaurant: Contemporary Land & Sea Dining in Kaikoura

Zephyr Restaurant is a stylish, modern restaurant in downtown Kaikoura, serving contemporary casual cuisine built around the best of land and sea produce. With table service and a fine wine list, it offers a polished dining experience while keeping the door open to walk-ins alongside reservations.

Entrees built for sharing and starting

The entree menu ranges from housemade Polenta Fries with chilli garlic aioli to Marlborough Garlic Butter Mussels in a creamy herb broth. A comforting Seafood Chowder loaded with NZ mussel and a mix of seafood is a popular starting point, while the Warm Cobb Loaf, filled with garlic butter, smoked cheese and basil pesto, is designed for sharing at the table.

Land and sea mains

On the mains menu, Zephyr leans into premium local produce. The Ribeye uses Canterbury Prime Angus beef, finished with a housemade red wine jus, while the NZ Venison Loin gets an Otago summer fruit rub and quince jus. The standout NZ Lamb Shoulder — a merino oyster cut slow roasted for 8 hours — is served for two, alongside duck fat roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

Seafood lovers are equally well catered for, with a daily Market Fish simply baked with a lemon caper herb crust, a Seafood Platter and Seafood Fettucine, a classic Fish & Chips with a twist, and crayfish served half or whole, baked with garlic butter. Vegetarian diners can choose the Cannelloni Spinach & Feta, and several dishes across the menu are marked gluten free.

A sweet finish

Dessert options include a classic Affogato with amaretto and vanilla ice cream, a rich Chocolate Torte, an Almond Cake with orange segments and syrup, a layered Tiramisu, and a creamy citrus Cheesecake — all offering a satisfying way to end the meal.

Seasonal and flexible

Zephyr notes that some menu items may differ seasonally, particularly over the winter months, reflecting the kitchen's focus on what's fresh and available. The restaurant also accepts Restaurant Association Gift Cards, available for purchase at Paperplus Kaikoura and New World, making it an easy choice for gifting a meal out.

Visiting Zephyr Restaurant

Zephyr Restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday from 5:30pm, located at 40 West End, Kaikoura. Reservations are appreciated, particularly given the restaurant's focus on quality produce and table service, but walk-ins are always welcome.

Signature items

• NZ Lamb Shoulder
• Crayfish
• Ribeye
• Market Fish
• NZ Venison Loin
• Seafood Chowder

Menu

Mains

• Market Fish — Today's fish simply baked with a lemon caper herb crust, duckfat potato, finished with lemon butter sauce.
• Ribeye (gf) — Canterbury Prime Angus ribeye with duck fat potato, finished with housemade red wine jus.
• Chicken Salad (gf) — Pan-seared sliced chicken breast with leafy greens, slaw, red onion, capsicum, tomato and inhouse dressing.
• NZ Venison Loin (gf) — Pan-seared venison with an Otago summer fruit rub, duckfat potato and quince jus.
• Twice Cooked Pork Belly (gf) — Twice cooked until tender, served with duckfat potato and soy caramel sauce.
• Cannelloni Spinach & Feta (v) — Spinach and feta mousse in a tomato-based sauce with grana padano.
• NZ Lamb Shoulder (gf) — Merino oyster cut of lamb, slow roasted for 8 hours with rosemary and lamb jus, for two, served with duck fat roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
• Confit Duck Leg — Slow cooked duck leg with duck fat potatoes and cherry red wine jus.
• Crayfish — Half or whole, baked with garlic butter, served with duck fat potato, salad and dipping sauces.
• Seafood Platter — A platter featuring a selection of seafood.
• Seafood Fettucine — A selection of seafood in an inhouse tomato sauce with cream and fresh herbs.
• Fish & Chips — Tempura battered fish fillet, a NZ classic with a twist, served with green tossed salad, tartare and shoestring fries.

Entree

• Polenta Fries (v) — Housemade creamy polenta, panko and parmesan crusted, with chilli garlic aioli.
• Salt & Pepper Calamari (gfo) — Lightly fried calamari rings with smoked sea salt and cracked pepper, asian slaw garnish, sweet chilli aioli and fresh herbs.
• Garlic Butter Mussels (gf) — Marlborough whole shell mussels in a white wine garlic creamy herb broth.
• Chicken Nibbles — Slow cooked in honey soy sauce, served with inhouse asian slaw.
• Seafood Chowder — A creamy, comforting chowder with tender NZ mussel and a selection of seafood, served with bread.
• Warm Cobb Loaf (v) — A sharing loaf with garlic butter, smoked cheese and basil pesto.
• Coastal Garden Salad — Seasonal mixed greens, slaw, edamame beans, capsicum, red onion and dried shallots with house dressing.

Dessert

• Affogato — Amaretto, espresso and vanilla ice cream with crostoli pastry.
• Chocolate Torte — Served with creamy vanilla ice cream.
• Almond Cake — With orange segments, orange syrup and vanilla ice cream.
• Tiramisu — Layers of espresso-soaked biscuit and silky mascarpone cream, finished with shaved chocolate.
• Cheesecake — Creamy citrus cheesecake on a crisp biscuit base, finished with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Zephyr Restaurant serve?

Contemporary casual cuisine based around land and sea produce.

What are the opening hours?

Tuesday to Saturday, from 5:30pm.

Do I need a reservation?

Reservations are appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome.

Is crayfish available?

Yes, served half or whole, baked with garlic butter.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes, including Polenta Fries and Cannelloni Spinach & Feta.

Does the menu change seasonally?

Yes, some items may differ due to the season, particularly in winter.

Are gift cards accepted?

Yes, Restaurant Association gift cards, available from Paperplus Kaikoura and New World.

Tips

• {"body":"Slow roasted for 8 hours, served for two.","title":"Try the NZ Lamb Shoulder"}
• {"body":"Served half or whole, baked with garlic butter.","title":"Ask about crayfish availability"}
• {"body":"Reservations are appreciated, though walk-ins are welcome.","title":"Book ahead if possible"}
• {"body":"Some items may differ, particularly over winter.","title":"Check for seasonal menu changes"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Vegetarian and gluten free options are marked on the menu.","payments":"Restaurant Association Gift Cards are accepted."}